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Different Sleeper Ice house ideas for cheap, or under 2-3k

Swill

By Swill
in Ice Fishing

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Swill Experienced

Swill

Posted
Posted

Hello Hardwater fans...

OK, I don't have a permanent ice house; only the Otter Lodge. I would like to either build, purchase, or modify something that I could use as a sleeper on Mille Lacs this year, so I can spend the night up there. I love fishing in my Otter during the day, to find active fish, but driving home and heading back up the next morning stinks. Plus, it takes a toll on gas.

So any ideas on ice house plans or styles? Are pull behind wood ice houses still popular? That style might be cheaper than one build on a trailer, but will it hold up over time?

And how big of an permanent ice house is needed for a 4 man sleeper? 6 x 12? 8 x 14?

I really like the drop down style ice houses, but it seems when finished they can run 5-14k...

If anyone has any pics of their ice house, I would love to seem em...

Thanks-Swill

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HarryG Community Regular

HarryG

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That is exactly why I bought my drop down. So I could spend a night on Mille Lacs and not have to drive back home the same night or go to a hotel. If you plan on using it just for Mille Lacs, you could find some for sale in that area at the resorts. A lot of them are 10 foot wide and are a lot better than an 8 foot. I think you would be able to keep it under 2K. You would have to pay for storage which I think is very reasonable in that area. Sounds like a good plan.

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Sonicrunch Mentor

Sonicrunch

Posted
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Quote:

I am going to try and post pics of my new house.

Lets see if it works!
smile.gif

[image]http://http://www.solisearch.net/ims/pic.php?u=18825zyu20&i=293177[/image]

I guess I have to work on that!
grin.gif

You have http:// twice. That's one problem.

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federline Proficient

federline

Posted
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I'd encourage you to hurry up and build what you can afford, whether drop down, a drag-behind, whatever - and get out there and enjoy it! smile.gif Here's another idea -

Three of us picked up an old 12 foot camper that was previously an ice shack conversion, for $200. It's on its way to being a functional street-legal sleeper right now, we're completely renovating it. We may just pop the wheels off and block it up once we are in place. Toying with quick-release axle or drop down wheel ideas, too.

Safe RV heater, icebox, kitchen counter with hood, crank out windows, A/C and DC power and lights, propane tank and battery holder, door with a window, 3 flip-up bunks, 6 holes, hole lites, fans, 12v power points, 1.5" of insulation all around, new paneling, solid frame, 2" ball hitch... she ain't pretty but, man, is she functional. The next step up costs five-to-ten times what we will pay.

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Ryan_V Grand Master

Ryan_V

Posted
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I would definetly go to a few resorts and look for houses for sale that stay up there. I got a very nice 10 X 16 this spring for only $1200. has stove/oven, new skids, windows and roof. you do have to pay for storage/service, but then you don't have to do any work besides going up and fishing/drinking/playing cards!!! I also went in with a couple friends of mine, so all together I have about $450 in the house. Just go to the different resorts and check their storage area and bulletin boards for houses for sale.

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hanson Grand Master

hanson

Posted
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Quote:

And how big of an permanent ice house is needed for a 4 man sleeper? 6 x 12? 8 x 14?

I would go 8x14 at a minimum for 4 guys.

My shack is a 7x12 and I do have 4 bunks in it. The house will sleep 4 guys but there is almost no way to fish in it with 4 people in the house. It is a tad crowded. 3 guys is very doable and do that a lot of the time.

I probably spent in the $2,000 range building my shack. However, I added a lot of "extras" that you wouldn't have to like catch covers, nice RV door, insulated windows, carpet, and an Empire Direct Vent Furnace. I've got close to a $1,000 alone in the items I just mentioned. Material cost for the house was another $1,000 or so. That includes 2x4s & plywood, pink rigid insulation in walls, floor, roof, pole barn steel siding & roof, and luaun paneling inside. It is a skid house and not on wheels. That alone saved me over $1,500 going without the trailer.

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